Trade No. 4 – Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons Receive: F Kyle Kuzma
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Derrick Rose, TOR 2021 2nd Round Pick (via DET), CLE/GSW 2023 2nd Round Pick (less favorable)
After it appeared that he may be out of the NBA after his significant knee injuries, Derrick Rose has revitalized his career with the Detroit Pistons and still has plenty of gas left in the tank. Over his past two seasons, Rose has averaged 18.1 points, 5.0 assists and has shot 48.6% from the floor and 33.8% from three-point range in 101 games.
While he is not the player he once was, Derrick Rose has shown with the Pistons that he can still contribute at a high-level and can make a difference for the Lakers off-the-bench.
Dennis Schroder has thrived in his role in the starting rotation this season, giving Derrick Rose the ability to make a difference in the second-unit. He is more than capable of leading the first-unit and with his ability to score, Rose coming off of the bench would give the Lakers yet another offensive weapon.
With Anthony Davis signing long-term with the Lakers and LeBron James not showing any signs of inching closer to retirement, the Lakers may look to get the most out of a Kyle Kuzma oriented trade now, and acquiring the former NBA MVP Derrick Rose from the Pistons could really make a difference for them on the offensive end of the court.
Bringing in Derrick Rose from the Pistons in a title defense season makes perfect sense for the Lakers because he is in the final year of his contract and would not be a burden on the Lakers’ payroll moving forward. Guard play is extremely important in today’s game and having two reliable and veteran guys in Rose and Schroder allows the Lakers to be comfortable with LeBron and Davis not on the court.
Both guys are more than capable of being leaders on the court and with the roster the Lakers already have, Derrick Rose would not have to be someone he isn’t. He could play at his own pace and not have to worry about pushing himself to the point of injury. Derrick Rose on the Lakers has been something that has been rumored for a while now and could easily happen in a Kyle Kuzma oriented trade.
